Eagle091 Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 Part 1: Good, Bad & Ugly From 2005 Editor's Note: This is the first of a two-part series wrapping up the 2005 season, featuring highs and lows, bests and worst.) IRVING, Texas - With the NFL playoffs kicking off this past weekend and the Cowboys on the outside looking in, it's unlikely they will look back on the 2005 season with anything other than utter disappointment. The Cowboys were heading into Thanksgiving at 7-3, and had several chances to claim that eighth win against Denver. Yet, they let the 2005 season slip away down the stretch. Not only did they lose four of their last six games, but needed go-ahead touchdowns in the final 30 seconds to claim their final two victories. So it was nearly worse than that. At the start of the season, many in the media following the team had the Cowboys pegged for 9-7, possibly 10-6, with a chance of getting into the playoffs as a wild-card team. And that's exactly where the Cowboys finished, with an opportunity to get into the playoffs heading into the final weekend of the season. But not all was lost out here at Valley Ranch. There were some bright spots and reasons for optimism heading into next season. And there were some plays to remember, and even a few games not to be forgotten. So as we look back at the 2005 season, here are some of the highs and lows, the best and worst, the good and bad of the Cowboys' 9-7 season. Best Win Carolina, Dec. 24, 2005 At the halfway point, it was hard to imagine the Cowboys claiming a better victory than the Oct. 9 one over the Eagles at Texas Stadium, dominating them, 33-10, from start to finish. But seeing how the Eagles simply weren't as good this year, limping to a 5-11 finish, the win became less impressive. So, with their backs firmly against the wall in Carolina, needing a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Cowboys responded with a dramatic 24-20 road win on Christmas Eve. Despite Julius Jones' 194-yard rushing day and DeMarcus Ware recording three sacks, the Cowboys still needed a little luck in the end to sneak out with the win. Worst Loss Washington, Washington Take your pick: Either Washington game. Was it the first meeting in which the Cowboys completely dominated the Redskins for 56 minutes, only to give up two long touchdown passes to Santana Moss and lose, 14-13 on Monday Night Football? Or was it the rematch, with the Cowboys needing a win to not only stay in the NFC playoff race, but avoid a sweep to the Redskins, only to play their worst game of the season, getting embarrassed, 35-7, at FedEx Field? Most Pivotal Play Santana Moss' first TD catch Sure, it's hard to think the second game of the season would still come back to haunt a team. But just how might things have been different if the Cowboys stopped the Redskins on fourth-and-15 from their own 39 with just 3:55 to play? Instead, Santana Moss splits two defenders at the goal line to haul in a touchdown pass from Mark Brunell. That score got the Redskins back in the game, and on the next possession, Washington took the lead when Brunell hit Moss on a 70-yard score that not only silenced a raucous Texas Stadium crowd, but spoiled a night that was supposed to be remembered for Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin being inducted into the Ring of Honor. The Redskins basically stole this one from the Cowboys. Offensive MVP Drew Bledsoe Since the Cowboys missed the playoffs, this is almost winner by default. There are other candidates such as Terry Glenn, maybe Keyshawn Johnson, or even Flozell Adams, whose value was evident after his knee injury forced him to miss the last 10 games. But without Bledsoe, it's hard to think the Cowboys could have done much of anything on offense. He did pass for 3,639 yards, the second-highest single-season total in club history. His 23 touchdowns were the most by a Cowboys quarterback since Troy Aikman had 23 in 1992. And, despite a few bad plays, Bledsoe was responsible for several key throws down the stretch, helping the team pull out a those two last-second victories. Defensive MVP Terence Newman At the halfway point of the season, it appeared as if the other cornerback would grab MVP honors. But after right cornerback Anthony Henry suffered a strained groin and abdominal muscle, both of which nagged him the entire second half of the season, it is easy to see just how important Newman was to the defense. Teams rarely threw his direction, yet he still managed to intercept three passes. Newman was also third on the team with 70 tackles, and even turned into an iron-man at the end of the season, occasionally returning punts and lining up some wide receiver, too. Quietly, Newman put together a solid season that should have elevated him into his first Pro Bowl selection. Special Teams MVP Keith Davis While he started the season playing predominately free safety, and ended up starting 15 games, the Cowboys couldn't even get through one regular season game without having to put Davis back on special teams. Despite playing less on the coverage units, Davis still led the team with 16 special teams tackles and had one forced fumble. He not only brought an attitude to the kicking game the Cowboys needed, but drew quite a bit of attention, often getting double- and triple-teamed while covering kickoffs and punts. Best Rookie DeMarcus Ware The Cowboys had several contributing rookies, but none were more consistent than linebacker DeMarcus Ware, their first draft choice. The 11th overall pick who was immediately compared to former Giants Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor, didn't exactly take the NFL by storm. He spent most of the season still making the transition from a 4-3 defensive end to a 3-4 outside linebacker. But he finished the season with eight sacks, including four in the last two games, tying him for the team lead with Greg Ellis. Ware will always be compared to San Diego's Shawne Merriman, who was high on the Cowboys draft boards and ended up going to the Chargers one pick later. Although Merriman finished with 10 sacks and was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, Ware proved at the end of the season he was indeed making progress and should have a bright future. (Tuesday: Part Two of season-ending awards, featuring: Most Significant Injury Biggest Disappointment Best Individual Play Worst Individual Play Best Off-Season Move Worst Off-Season Move Best Breakthrough Season Best Comeback Award Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westbrook36 Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 They said the Eagles were 5-11. :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hail2skins Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 Didn't Cundiff miss a pivotal FG late in that Denver game on Thanksgiving? That was probably the pivotal play in the Cowboys season......the Santana heroics occurred much too early to be pivotal for the Cowboys (unless the Cowboys had totally gone in the tank after that) but were pivotal for the Skins in opening up what had until then been a moribund offense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragon_mikal Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 Didn't Cundiff miss a pivotal FG late in that Denver game on Thanksgiving? That was probably the pivotal play in the Cowboys season......the Santana heroics occurred much too early to be pivotal for the Cowboys (unless the Cowboys had totally gone in the tank after that) but were pivotal for the Skins in opening up what had until then been a moribund offense. Yes...Cundiff missed quite a few important FGs. The 1st game in Dallas way heartbreaking...but didn't cost us our season. The Seattle game was a huge blow. As was the loss at FedEx. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotgunner Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 That Monday nighter was a thriller!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.